Author: Charlie O. Mallonee

I have been a sports reporter/broadcaster since 1976 which means ... I'm old and I love sports. I have done play-by-play for minor league baseball - including the infamous "Bad News Bees" - San Jose State football and football and high school sports in the Bay Area and on the Monterey Peninsula. I had the great privilege to host a weekly sports talk show on KNRY Radio Monterey/Salinas with my producer the late,great Gary Araki. I also hosted and produced "the Sports Fanatics" talk show on KSAC Radio in Sacramento. For the last 10 years, I have been a beat reporter covering the Oakland Athletics for Sports Radio Service. Three years ago, I became the senior reporter for our Sacramento Kings coverage. My goal is to bring you the news, views, fun and excitement of every event I am assigned to report on for Sports Radio Service.

Giants Minor League Spotlight: RHP Sam Coonrod is a fast rising star

Published on August 19, 2016August 19, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Right-handed pitcher Sam Coonrod is ranked the fifth best player in the Giants farm system, and Sam is having a very good 2016 season.

Coonrod started the year off in San Jose in the high Class-A California League. That assignment had him right on schedule for player development as he had spent 2014 the in short-season rookie league and 2015 at Class-A Augusta.

By June 12th, Coonrod had made 11 starts for San Jose and had posted a record of 5-3 with 1.98 ERA. That outstanding start earned him a promotion to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels in mid-June.

Since being promoted to Richmond, Coonrod has continued to be successful. He has made 10 starts and has posted a record of 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA. In 61.0-innings pitched, he has 19 runs (14 earned) off 45 hits. Coonrod has allowed just five home runs. The one area that needs immediate improvement is his walk to strike out ratio. He has walked 29 and struck out 34 batters in those 10 starts for the Flying Squirrels. Coonrod has a WHIP of 1.21 and a batting average against of .209.

The 23-year old Coonrod is 6-foot-2 and weights 225 pounds. He was selected by the Giants in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Southern Illinois.

The fastball is is Coonrod’s number one pitch. He throws it in the 91-96 mph range with good command. His second pitch is a plus-slider that hits the mid-80’s. The change-up is Coonrod’s third pitch and it is a work in progress. He will need to master that change-up in order to remain a candidate to be a starter.

Coonrod’s accelerated progress to the Double-A level has moved up the timeline for him to make it to the major leagues. Based on his current success, fans should expect to see Sam Coonrod in a San Francisco Giants uniform sometime in 2017. That would mean he would start the year in Triple-A at Sacramento and move up the show sometime after the All-Star Break and no later than the September call-ups.

A’s Minor League Spotlight: 2016 Number 1 Draft Pick LHP A.J. Puk

Published on August 18, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Every team in baseball wants a tall, strong, left-handed pitcher that can throw hard and be the number one man in the rotation. The Oakland Athletics may have found that player in the 2016 MLB Draft.

With their number one pick (sixth overall), the A’s selected A.J. Puk – a 6-foot-7, 220 pound, left-handed pitcher out of the University of Florida. Richie Martin – Puk’s teammate at Florida – was the A’s number one draft pick in 2015. Martin is currently playing shortstop for the Stockton Ports of the California League.

The A’s 2016 second-round pick (47th overall) – right-handed pitcher Logan Shore – was also a teammate of Puk at Florida and the two are currently are teammates at short-season Class A Vermont.

Puk was considered to be a possible number one overall selection before the actual draft. Some inconsistency on the mound during his junior year along with some problems with back spasms caused him to drop down in the draft. Those problems did not deter the Athletics who did not hesitate to take Puk with the number six pick.

The fastball is Puk’s best pitch. It is rated well above above average and he throws it 96-97 mph regularly. He also has a plus slider that he delivers at 88-90 mph. Some within the A’s organization have referred to his slider as disappearing much like the slider thrown by Dave Righetti in his Yankee days – which is high praise. Puk is also rated high because he can maintain his velocity deep into games.

Puk’s third pitch is the change-up and it is still in the development stage. Scouts feel it should be major league ready soon. His control and consistency also needs improvement but that is why he is in the minor leagues. Given the chance to develop, Puk should become an impact starter for the Athletics.

Puk is currently pitching for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League. He has a record of 0-2 in seven starts with an ERA of 2.70. In 20.0 innings pitched, Puk has given up 11 runs (6 earned) off 13 hits. He has walked six and struck out 27 batters. The big left-hander has a batting average against of .171 and a WHIP of just 0.95.

In his last start, Puk worked 3.2 innings. He gave up no runs on just one hit. Puk walked two and struck out eight batters. The only downside he had in the game was his high pitch count of 67 (43 strikes) which is probably why he was pulled from the game.

The current estimate is that fans could see Puk in a green and gold uniform sometime in the 2018 season which would mean he would progress through the farm system very quickly.

A’s Update: Pinder promoted; Doolittle and Hahn pitch in Nashville; Lowrie to have surgery; Chapman to Triple-A

Published on August 17, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Doolittle throws nine pitches to get three outs

On Monday in Nashville, the A’s left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle made a rehab appearance for the Triple-A Sounds. It was his first competitive pitching opportunity since going on the disabled list on June 30 – retroactive to June 26 – with a left shoulder strain.

Doolittle pitched the eighth inning against the Reno Aces. He struck out the lead off batter. IIdemaro Vargas – the second man up – hit a double to left field. The third hitter – Ed Lucas – grounded out to first but Vargas advanced to third with two out. Doolitte then induced Zach Borenstein to ground out to second for the final out of the inning.

Doolittle worked one inning and gave up no runs on one hit. He threw nine pitches of which eight were strikes. Doolittle had one strikeout and two groundouts to retire the side.

The plan is for Doolittle to pitch at least once more in Nashville before rejoining the A’s. The target is for him to come off the disabled list and be available for the Cleveland series that begins next Monday night in Oakland.

Jesse Hahn performs well in rehab start

A’s right-handed starting pitcher Jesse Hahn made a rehab start in Nashville on Tuesday. It was his first game experience since going on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain on August 5.

Hahn set the tone of the night by sitting the Tacoma Rainiers down in order in the top of the first inning. In the second inning, Hahn faced seven batters and gave up a run. He settled down in the third inning getting three consecutive outs after allowing a lead-off walk. In his fourth and final inning, Hahn sat the side down in order once again.

Hahn threw 79 pitches in his four innings of work. Hahn was most likely on target to throw approximately 80 pitches. Of his 79 pitches, 40 were strikes. He faced 17 batters in his four innings of work. Hahn was able to get five of those batters to groundout and one to flyout.

The plan for Hahn -assuming he feels well after resting up from the start – is to travel to Chicago and meet up with the A’s. He can come off the disabled list on August 21, so Hahn could start the final game of the series with the White Sox in Chicago.

The season is over for Jed Lowrie

Infielder Jed Lowrie and the Athletics have decided that he should go ahead with surgery to remove a bunion from his big toe on the left foot. Lowrie had tried to play through the injury but finally had to be shutdown in early August.

According to reports, Lowrie received several different medical opinions before deciding on season-ending surgery. The recovery – rehabilitation time is approximately three months.

Lowrie played 87 games this season and hit .263 with 12 doubles, one triple, 2 home runs and 27 rbi. He is signed through 2017 so Lowrie will return to the team next season.

Lowrie is currently on the 15-day disabled list. He will probably be transferred to the 60-day disabled list which will allow the A’s to make some moves with the 40-man roster.

Chad Pinder moves up to the show

The Oakland Athletics have promoted Chad Pinder from Triple-A Nashville to the big club as they have placed infielder Tyler Ladendorf on the 15-day disabled list. Ladendorf has a sprained left wrist. Ladendorf was batting .083 with .102 on base percentage.

In order to make this move, the A’s transferred Jed Lowrie to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Pinder. Lowrie is out for the rest of the season and will soon have surgery on his left big toe.

Pinder also gives the A’s some flexibility in the infield that they are going to need very soon. Starting shortstop Marcus Semien is about to go on maternity leave and the A’s will need someone to fill in at the number six spot. Pinder is a shortstop who was moved to that position last year from second base.

Pinder is a 6-foot-2, 195 pound, 24 year-old who was drafted 79th overall in 2013 by Oakland out of Virginia Tech. He has progressed each year to the next higher level of the farm system for the last four years.

Pinder has played in 107 games for Nashville this season and has a .258 batting average, a .310 on base percentage and .425 slugging percentage. He has hit 23 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and has driven in 51 runs.

The Athletics have now used the disabled list a record-breaking 26 times this season eclipsing the old mark of 25 times set in 2008.

Matt Chapman gets promoted

Last week, third baseman Matt Chapman batted .318 with .424 on base percentage and an .864 slugging percentage going 7-for-22 in six games for the Midland RockHounds. Chapman hit three doubles, three home runs, drove in eight runs and scored five runs. He was named the Texas League Offensive Player of the Week.

As a reward for his great week, the A’s told Chapman to pack his bags and get out of town. The 2014 first-round draft pick has been promoted to Triple-A Nashville. That means Chapman has gone from the Rookie League to Triple-A in less than three years. That is very impressive indeed.

Many prognosticators are projecting that by next season Matt Chapman and Ryon Healy will be the corner infielders for the Oakland A’s. Who will be at third and who will be at first? That is still to be determined, but the A’s may have found a power hitting duo that will lead their youth movement for years to come.

Seattle beats the A’s 8-4 to win the weekend series 2-1

Published on August 14, 2016August 14, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

Photo by Associated Press Oakland A’s pitcher Zach Neal deals to the Seattle Mariners in the first inning of Sunday’s game at the Oakland Coliseum

By Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics lost on Sunday to the Seattle Mariners by the score of 8-4. The loss also meant that the A’s lost the series to M’s 2-1. After the success the Athletics had versus the Orioles earlier in the week, losing the weekend series has to be a major disappointment especially as they have to head out on a six-game road trip.

The story of the game was really about starting pitching. The Mariners started left-hander Wade LeBlanc who they acquired from Toronto for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He had made six starts coming into today’s game and had a record of 1-0.

LeBlanc worked six innings giving up 3 runs (all earned) on five hits. He struck out seven A’s batters and walked just one. LeBlanc pitched well enough to get his team to into the seventh inning where the bullpen could take over and put the game away. LeBlanc did get the win and is now 2-0.

Zach Neal – who has moved from reliever to starter – made his second start of August on Sunday. Neal struggled as he had to deal with baserunners in every inning. His pitches were elevated and flat which hurt him against the Mariners strong hitters.

Neal gave up five runs (all earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings of work. He threw 74 pitches (45 strikes). Neal worked hard but was never able to take command of the game on the mound. He was hung with the loss and is now 2-2 for the year.

Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager was an A’s killer on Sunday as he hit two doubles, drove in four runs and scored a run in his five trips to the plate.

For the Athletics, it was all about the long ball. Khris Davis hit his 30^th home run of the season – a two-run shot. Ryon Healy hit his fifth round-tripper since being called up from Triple-A, and Brett Eibner hit his second home run in A’s uniform on Sunday.

Seattle scored eight runs off 12 hits and left seven runners on base. The A’s scored four runs on nine hits and left six men on base.

Seattle is now 62-54 on the season. Oakland is 52-66 for the year.

A Game of Challenges

One the more unusual challenges to an umpiring call was made in the top of fourth inning. Everyone in the Oakland Coliseum – including the Athletics – thought inning was over when they completed a six – four – three double play. Players had left the field. The in-between innings music and videos were playing.

Slowly players, fans, reporters and others began to notice that the umpires had the headsets on to the video replay center. Seattle manager Scott Servais had challenged the double play call saying A’s second baseman Tyler Ladendorf had not touched the base with his foot before throwing to first. Prior to video replay, this was known as the “in the neighborhood play”. If the shortstop or second baseman’s foot was “the neighborhood” or near the base, the defense got the call. With video replay, “in the neighborhood” is a thing of the past. The game was delayed three minutes and 50 seconds for the replay decision to be made.

Video replay overturned the out at second. The A’s had to retake the field as the top of the fourth inning would continue. With Dae-Ho Lee at second base, shortstop Shawn O’Malley came to the plate with two out for the Mariners. O’Malley hit the first pitch from Neal up the middle into center field driving home Lee for fourth run of the game.

As you might expect, the partisan A’s crowd let the umpires at the Coliseum and the video replay officials back East know what they thought of their decision to overturn the call at second when the runner came home to score.

The Athletics also made a successful challenge of their own in the game. In the top of the third inning, Robinson Cano was on first for Seattle with one out. Nelson Cruz hit a ground ball on the left side of the infield that was fielded by Oakland third baseman Ryon Healy. Healy threw the ball to Tyler Ladendorf who stepped on second base but then dropped the ball as he began transfer the ball from his glove to his throwing hand. Second base umpire Marty Foster called the runner safe.

Oakland manager Bob Melvin challenged the call saying Ladendorf had possession of the ball when he touched the bag therefore the runner should be out. It took the MLB Video Replay Center one minute and 21 seconds to agree with Melvin and overturn Foster’s call.

On the Bump

Zach Neal is now 1-2 as a starting pitcher for Oakland this season. He has a 7.28 ERA in those three starts.

Neal’s nightmare with Adam Lind is finally over. Coming into the game on Sunday, Lind had faced Neal twice and had hit two home runs off the right-hander. Lind came to the plate in the second inning of the game on Sunday and hit a 1-2 pitch from Neal into the second deck down the right field line. At that point Lind was 3-for-3 versus Neal with all three hits being home runs. Neal finally induced Lind to fly out to the left fielder in the top of the third inning. Nightmare over.

Daniel Coulombe worked 2.2 innings of relief for Oakland. He gave up three runs (all earned) on four hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Chris Smith worked the ninth inning for the A’s. He gave up no runs or hits while striking out one and walking one.

The Mariners used three relief pitchers – Storen, Caminero and Vincent. Combined they gave up one run on four hits in three innings of work. They struck out two hitters and walked none.

In the Batter’s Box

Marcus Semien who went 1-for-5 on Sunday (double) is batting.300 (15-for-50) for the month of August.

Khris Davis hit a home run in every game of the weekend series with Seattle. 17 of his 30 home runs have been hit in the Oakland Coliseum.

Danny Valencia had a 2-for-4 day at the plate and scored a run.

Norichika Aoki had a 3-for-5 day for Seattle and has now hit safely in 19 of his 20 games with an at bat against the Oakland A’s.

Seattle shortstop Shawn O’Malley went 2-for-5 at the plate including a double, a rbi and a run scored.

Defense

A’s third baseman Ryon Healy made nice diving catch in the top of first inning. With infield in a shift to the right side of the infield for left-handed hitter Kyle Seager, Healy was alone on the left side. Seager hit a flare to left field. Healy turned and ran into left field following the ball over his shoulder while fighting the sun. He stretched out and made a diving catch for the first out of the inning.

Not to be outdone, Khris Davis had a defensive gem of his own in the top of the second inning. Leonys Martin hit a fly ball into shallow left center field making Davis dive, stretch and slide in order to make the catch.

The Athletics did not commit an error in the game.

Doolittle to Rehab in Music City

Sean Doolittle – who has been on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder – is headed to Nashville for a rehab pitching assignment. The plan is to have Doolittle pitch on Wednesday and then again on Saturday. If everything goes as planned, Doolittle would rejoin the big club in Oakland for the Cleveland series that begins on Monday, August 22.

Jesse Hahn Update

Right-handed pitcher Jesse Hahn has been on the disabled list since August 5 due to a right shoulder strain. Hahn threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and if everything is deemed positive medically, he could be headed off to a minor league rehab pitching assignment. If things go well, the plan is for Hahn to start the final game of the road trip in Chicago next Sunday against the White Sox.

Up Next

The A’s left for Texas after the game where they will begin a six-game seven-day road trip on Monday night. Unlike the last several series, the Athletics know their pitching rotation for the Texas games, and there will be no call ups of starting pitchers from Triple-A Nashville. The probable pitching match ups are:

Mon. 8/15 @ Texas LHP Ross Detwiler (1-0, 2.13) vs. LHP Martin Perez (7-8, 4.22) 5:05 PM

Tue. 8/16 @ Texas RHP Andrew Triggs (0-1, 5.50) vs. RHP Lucas Harrell (1-0, 5.74) 5:05 PM

Wed 8/17 @ Texas LHP Sean Manaea (4-7, 4.57) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (3-3, 2.77) 5:05 PM

Seattle moves on to Anaheim where they will start a four-game series with the Angels on Monday night.

Kings to open the 2016-17 NBA season with away-home back-to-back games

Published on August 11, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The NBA regular season schedule was released today and the Sacramento Kings will open the 2016-17 campaign on the road in Phoenix on Wednesday October 28. The game will be a 7:00 PM tip-off local time.

The Kings first NBA regular season game in the new Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento will be on the next night – Thursday October 29 – when they will host the San Antonio Spurs. The tip-off in Sacramento will be at 7:30 PM.

The game times for most of the weeknight games have been pushed back to 7:30 PM to allow the downtown district to clear out from the business day to make parking easier for fans attending the game. The later starts will also allow fans to enjoy early dinners before the game and still be in their seats for tip-off. Game times at home will vary on the weekends.

The Kings will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday October 29 at 7:30 PM at the Golden 1 Center in a game that will be televised nationally on NBA TV.

The Golden State Warriors will not visit Sacramento until Sunday January 8, 2017. The Warriors will make a return visit on Saturday February 4.

The Los Angeles Lakers will make their two trips to the Capital City before the New Year. The Lakers will play at the Golden 1 Center on Thursday November 10 and Monday December 12.

The World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers will make their one and only appearance in Sacramento on Friday January 13.

Kings games will be televised nationally five times from the Golden 1 Center during the season. TNT will broadcast the November 10 game versus the Lakers. ESPN will show the nation the Clippers – Kings game on November 18 from Sacramento. NBA TV will show three games nationally from the Kings new arena.

The Kings play four games in October (2 home; 2 away), 15 games in November (7 home; 8 away), 15 games in December (5 home; 10 away), 15 games in January (7 home; 8 away), 11 games in February (2 home; 9 away), 16 games in March (8 home; 8 away) and six games in April (3 home; 3 away).

The Kings longest homestand runs January 4 thru 18 with seven games to played at the Golden 1 Center. The team’s longest road trip has seven games between January 20 and January 31 on the road.

The Kings have 18 sets of back-to-back games for the season. Two sets are back-to-back games at home. Eight of the sets are away-away games. Three are away-home games and five sets are home-away games.

The Kings have never won a game when they have opened an arena in Sacramento. They lost the opener in Arco Arena I on October 25, 1985 to the Clippers 108-104. The Kings lost the first game in Arco Arena II to the Seattle SuperSonics 97-75 on November 8, 1988.

Giants Minor League Spotlight: Bryan Reynolds top draft pick of 2016

Published on August 11, 2016August 11, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The San Francisco Giants did not have a first-round selection in the 2016 MLB first-year player draft due to the signing of free agent pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The Giants were looking for a sleeper in the second-round that might have above average talent.

The organization feels they found just that in outfielder Bryan Reynolds whom they selected in second-round (59th overall). The Giants believe they found first-round talent that had not been selected earlier.

Reynolds comes out of a big time college program at Vanderbilt who plays in the very tough Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt won the College World Series in 2014 and was the runner-up 2015. Reynolds played on both of those teams.

Reynolds is a 6-foot-3, 200 pound outfielder who is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed. He does not possess any plus-tools but is considered a strong all-around player. There is some concern about his ability to make contact against quality pitching.

His two strongest attributes are his speed and his patience. Reynolds is able to use his speed to cover center field on defense and to steal bases when given the chance. He is able to be patient at the plate and draw walks if he is not given anything by the pitcher to hit.

Reynolds is currently playing in the short season Class A Northwest League with THE Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. He leads the league with a .328 batting average. Reynolds has a .399 on base percentage, .557 slugging percentage and a very impressive .956 OPS so far this season. On defense, he has committed just one error in 33 games.

Reynolds has 40 hits in 122 at bats including 11 doubles, one triple and five home runs. He has picked up 23 rbi while walking 11 times and striking out just 30 times. Reynolds was named Northwest League Player of the Week for July 11-17.

Reynolds is considered to be the fourth best prospect in the Giants farm system at this time. The estimate is that fans can expect to Bryan Reynolds at AT&T Park in 2019.

Photo Credit: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Gordie Clary

Cubs beat the A’s 3-1 to sweep the series

Published on August 7, 2016August 7, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Oakland Athletics — Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

By Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND–The Chicago Cubs made it a three-game sweep over Oakland as they beat the Athletics 3-1 on Sunday. The Cubs supported the outstanding pitching of Kyle Hendricks with some timely hitting and the 104 mph pitches of Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning to nail down the win for Chicago.

The Cubs have now won seven consecutive games and 10 of their last 11 contests. Chicago is a season-high 28 games over .500 with a record of 69-41 which is best in the majors. This was their 10^th series sweep of the season.

The A’s have now lost three in a row and eight of their last nine games. Oakland is now 15 games under .500 with a record of 48-63. This was the ninth time the A’s were swept this season.

On the Bump

Kyle Hendricks (11-7) has quietly been one of the most solid pitchers for the Cubs this season. He did not overpower hitters as his fastball topped out at 89 mph on a consistent basis. It was the sinking action of his fastball that caused Oakland hitters to groundout and the change up that kept the hitters off balance that Hendricks used to defeat the A’s.

Hendricks worked 7.1 innings giving up just one run (earned) on three hits. He struck out four batters and walked none. Hendricks entire outing was about control.

Pedro Strop worked 0.2 innings of relief for Hendricks.

Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth inning thrilling the crowd with pitches that hit 104 mph on the radar gun. Chapman did give up a single to the A’s Stephen Vogt, so he is human.

“He pitched great. A couple of swings ended up being two runs for them. Pitching deep into the game for us again. Getting the swings and misses. Using all three pitches. It’s a pretty good line up that other than two pitches he did a great job against,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin evaluating the pitching performance of Sean Manaea on Sunday.

Manaea (3-7) worked 6.0 innings giving up two runs (both earned) on six hits. He struck out four and walked two batters. Both runs came via the home run. Kris Bryant hit his 27^th home run of the season off Manaea to lead off the top of the sixth inning and Jorge Soler hit his seventh homer of the year to lead off the seventh inning.

The A’s used five relief pitchers in the game. Reliever Liam Hendriks came in with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the eight and worked out of that jam without allowing a run. Manager Bob Melvin praised Hendriks for his effort after the game.

Chris Smith who was just added to the A’s roster closed out the game for Oakland working a scoreless top of the ninth inning.

In the Batter’s Box

Marcus Semien was the bright spot for the A’s at the plate against the Cubs. Semien went 2-for-3 on the day. That included him crushing his 23^rd home run of the season into the left center field seats which accounted for the only A’s run of the day.

Stephen Vogt and Max Muncy were the only other A’s to pick up hits in the game.

The A’s left three men on base.

Kris Bryant went 2-for-3, scored a run, hit a home run and walked twice in the game. The home run was his 27^th of the year which is a new career-high.

Jorge Soler enjoyed being the Designated Hitter as he went 2-for-4. He hit his seventh home run of the season off Manaea.

Anthony Rizzo had a 1-for-4 day that included an rbi. He has now reached base safely in 14 consecutive starts.

The Cubs left eight men on base and went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Defense

Yonder Alonso executed the rare unassisted double play in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, the Cubs Ben Zobrist hit a low line drive down the first base line that Alonso snagged with his glove hand. He then stepped on the first base bag to double up the runner – Anthony Rizzo – to end the inning and the Cubs scoring threat.

A rare call by first base umpire Paul Emmel preserved a good defensive play by the A’s. In the top the fourth inning, Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras struck out but the pitch was in the dirt so the batter was able to run to first. Catcher Stephen Vogt fielded the ball and made the throw to first. Contreras ran out of the runners lane to distract Yonder Alonso who was waiting to catch the ball. Alonso dropped the ball but Emmel called Contreras out for leaving the lane and interfering with the play. It is a call that should be made more often.

Notes

Sonny Gray has been placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season. Gray was lifted from the game on Saturday when he strained his right forearm in the fifth inning. Gray was on the DL from May 21 to June 4 with a strained right trapezius.

Right-hand pitcher Chris Smith has been promoted from Triple-A Nashville to take Gray’s spot on the roster. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Smith, catcher Josh Phegley has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

This is the 25^th time the A’s have placed a player on the DL this season. That ties a club all-time record.

Up Next

The Athletics will stay in Oakland for a four-game series with the Eastern Division leading Baltimore Orioles:

Mon 8/8 RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7,4.46) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (3-8,4.08) 7:05 PM

Tue 8/9 RHP RHP Zach Neal (1-1,5.25) vs. LHP Wade Miley (0-1,7.20) 7:05 PM

Wed 8/10 TBA (probably a call up from Nashville) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (4-3,5.47) 7:05

Thu 8/11 TBA (possibly another Nashville call up) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (14-4,3.50) 7:05

The Cubs have the day off on Monday and start a two-game series with the Angles in Chicago on Tuesday.

Call the MASH Unit: Sonny Gray to the Disabled List

Published on August 7, 2016August 7, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND–As if the Oakland Athletics did not have enough problems to deal with already, their number one pitcher – Sonny Gray – is headed back to the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season. Gray strained his right forearm in the game versus the Cubs on Saturday in Oakland.

Gray is 5-11 with a 5.74 ERA on the season. Opposing batters are hitting .286 against Gray in his 21 starts. Gray has the highest ERA in the majors and is tied for third in the American League in losses.

The A’s turn to the Nashville connection once again to fill Gray’s spot on the roster. Right-handed pitcher Chris Smith has been promoted from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Smith, catcher Josh Phegley was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Smith has spent the entire season at Nashville. He has a 6-8 record with a 3.93 ERA and .239 batting average against in 22 starts. Smith is 35-years old and will be returning to the majors for the first time since 2010 when he made three relief appearances for Milwaukee. He was a non-roster invitee to spring training this year and accepted an assignment to Triple-A.

A’s number three ranked prospect Holmes has tough debut in San Jose

Published on August 6, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

After the Josh Reddick – Rich Hill trade to the Dodgers for three minor league pitchers, there was a reordering of the top 30 prospects in the Oakland Athletics farm system. One of those pitchers is now the A’s number three ranked prospect.

20-year old Grant Holmes is 6-foot-1, 215 pound, right-handed pitcher that was selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2014 Free Agent Draft by the Dodgers. Holmes went right from playing high school baseball to playing professional ball for the Dodgers with their rookie teams in Arizona and Ogden, Utah.He spent the 2015 season in the Midwest League and was pitching for the Dodgers high Class A California League affiliate in Ranch Cucamonga when the trade occurred.

Holmes has an above average fastball that he throws in the 93-95 mph range on a consistent basis. He also has a plus-curveball that can be thrown with slider velocity when it is at its best. The curve still lacks the consistency that it will need at the next level.

Holmes has a workable change up that he is using more as the talent of the opposing hitters improves. His control is rated as a bit below average. Scouts feel his control “regressed” some in 2015. Not enough to no longer consider Holmes a top prospect, but he does need to learn “to trust his stuff”.

Even though Holmes is the youngest player who will require the most time and development to make it to the major leagues, he ultimately could be the crown jewel of this trade. In 2019 or 2020, we could be talking about how the Reddick-Hill trade of 2016 paid off for the A’s with the acquisition of starting pitcher Grant Holmes.

Holmes made his first appearance for the A’s Class A Stockton Ports on Friday night versus the San Jose Giants. It was not the type of start Holmes wanted to have for his new organization.

Holmes worked just 4.0 innings giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits. He had one strike out and walked one batter. He did not give up a home run in the game.

Holmes threw 72 pitches (52 strikes) to the 23 batters he faced. He induced eight hitters to groundout and two to flyout.

The Giants hit back-to-back singles off Holmes in the first inning.Holmes then walked a batter to load the bases. The next San Jose batter was hit by the pitch to force in a run. A sacrifice fly made it a 2-0 game after the first inning.

San Jose scored single runs in the second and third innings off Holmes. A error by the Ports left fielder in the fourth inning allowed to unearned runs to score giving the Giants a 6-1 lead and the night for Holmes was over.

Holmes was charged with the loss. His overall record for the season is now 8-5 with 4.20 ERA.

Sports Radio Service will continue to monitor Holmes play and bring you updates as warranted.

Top pitching prospect from Reddick trade makes first start for Nashville

Published on August 5, 2016 by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Right-hand pitcher Jharel Cotton was traded to the Oakland Athletics as a part of the trade deadline deal that sent outfielder Josh Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cotton – who is on the 40-man roster- was assigned to to the A’s Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.

Cotton made his first start for Nashville on Thursday night in Colorado Springs where the ball flies just like it does at Coors Field due to the altitude. It is certainly not a pitcher friendly park.

Cotton – who has an above average four-seam fastball and change up – took the mound and worked six strong innings. He gave up just one run (earned) on six hits. Cotton struck out five Sky Sox batters and walked just one. He did allow one home run.

Cotton faced 24 batters in his six innings of work. He induced the opposing hitters into four groundouts and seven flyouts. Cotton threw 95 pitches (60 strikes).

When Cotton exited the game at the end of six innings, the Sounds led the Sky Sox 4-1. The Sounds would hang on to win the game 5-4. Cotton was credited with the win and his record improves to 9-5 on the season with a 4.70 ERA.

In the reordering of the A’s top prospects after the trades, Cotton is considered to be the 16th best prospect out of Oakland’s top 30 farm hands. With the A’s struggling to find pitchers to fill the back end of the starting rotation, Cotton could be a candidate to join the big club for a tryout start. If he continues to have success, Cotton certainly would a September call up candidate when the rosters can be expanded.

Third baseman Renato Nunez – rated the A’s sixth best prospect – played a big part in the Sounds victory last night in Colorado Springs. Nunez hit a two-run double (17) in the top of the second inning to give Nashville a 2-0 lead.

Nunez struck again in the top of the fourth inning when he hit a two-run home run off starting pitcher Hiram Burgos. It was the 18th home run of the season for Nunez. The four RBI in the game increased his total to 61 for the season.

Nunez certainly has the power numbers (17 doubles, 2 triples, 18 home runs) but the A’s would certainly like to see him raise his batting average the current .229. He has minor league career batting average of .267.

There was one other player of interest to Northern California fans playing in the game last night. Former Giant/Sacramento River Cat and Roseville resident, catcher Andrew Susac – who was traded to the Milwaukee organization – played for the Sky Sox and went 1-for-5.

Right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes – who was acquired as a part of the Reddick/Hill trade – will make his first start for the A’s high Class-A team – Stockton Ports – in San Jose tonight. Sports Radio Service will report on that game in our Saturday edition.